Halloween just got a whole lot tastier, my friends. If you’re looking for a fun, festive, and ridiculously delicious way to feed your little goblins, these Ghost Taco Hand Pies are exactly what your spooky season menu needs. They’re flaky, cheesy, and perfectly seasoned—and best of all? They’re handheld. Because let’s be honest, nobody wants to juggle a fork when they’re chasing kids hopped up on candy.
These aren’t just for trick-or-treat night, though. They’re easy enough for a weeknight dinner and cute enough to bring to a Halloween party without stressing yourself out. Plus, they sneak in a few veggies (hello, shredded carrots and spinach!) without raising any red flags with picky eaters. That’s the real magic, isn’t it?
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Ghost Taco Hand Pies
- Kid-approved: They’re spooky but not scary, and the melty cheese seals the deal.
- Customizable: Use ground beef, turkey, or chicken—whatever your crew prefers.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prep the filling earlier in the day, then assemble and bake when it’s go time.
- Party-perfect: Easy to transport, easy to eat, and guaranteed to disappear from the snack table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 pound lean ground beef (or swap with turkey or chicken)
- 1 Tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup shredded carrot (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper or baby spinach (optional)
- 2 pie crusts, defrosted but unbaked
- 1/3 cup shredded Mexican cheese
- 1 egg (for brushing)
- Salsa or guacamole, for dipping
How to Make Ghost Taco Hand Pies
1. Cook the filling.
Heat a medium skillet over medium-high. Add the ground beef and break it apart as it cooks. (If using turkey or chicken, drizzle in a little olive oil first.) Stir in the taco seasoning and veggies, if using. Cook for about 5–6 minutes, until browned. Set aside to cool slightly.
2. Prep your workspace.
Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Roll out your pie crusts on a lightly floured counter.
3. Cut out your ghosts.
Using a ghost-shaped cookie cutter, cut even numbers of shapes from the dough (you’ll need pairs for tops and bottoms). Gather the scraps, reroll, and cut until the crust is used up.
4. Fill and seal.
Place half of the ghost cutouts on the baking sheets. Add a spoonful of taco filling in the center of each and sprinkle with cheese. For the top layer, cut out little eyes and mouths (the lid of a marker cap works great!). Place these on top of the filled ghosts and use a fork to crimp the edges closed.
5. Brush and bake.
Whisk the egg with a splash of water or milk. Brush over the tops of the pies. Bake for 10–14 minutes, until golden brown and puffy.
6. Serve.
Cool slightly, then serve warm with salsa or guacamole. Watch them vanish like real ghosts.
Tips for Perfect Ghost Taco Hand Pies
- Don’t overfill! A little goes a long way. Too much filling = spooky explosions in your oven.
- No ghost cutter? Use any Halloween cutter you have (pumpkins, bats, cats—it’s all fair game).
- Make ahead: The filling can be cooked up to two days in advance and refrigerated until ready to use.
A Little Story From My Kitchen
The first time I made these, my kids couldn’t stop giggling at the “ghost faces.” By the time I turned around, three were already gone, and my husband was eyeing a fourth. That’s when I knew this wasn’t just a cutesy Halloween gimmick—it was a keeper. Now, it’s our tradition to bake these on October 31st before the candy chaos begins. Full bellies = fewer sugar meltdowns later (in theory, anyway).

FAQs About Ghost Taco Hand Pies
Can I freeze these?
Yes! Bake them, let them cool, and freeze in a single layer. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warm.
Can I make these vegetarian?
Absolutely. Swap the meat for seasoned black beans or lentils. Add extra cheese for gooey goodness.
What if I don’t have pie crusts?
Puff pastry works beautifully, too. Just adjust the bake time (closer to 12–15 minutes).
Bring a Little Magic to Halloween
Whether you’re feeding a crowd of trick-or-treaters or just looking for a fun dinner idea, these Ghost Taco Hand Pies are the perfect blend of festive and practical. They’ll fill your kitchen with savory taco goodness and make your table look like it’s ready for the season. So grab that cookie cutter, fire up the oven, and let these little ghosts haunt your menu—in the best way possible.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you had fun making these spooky Ghost Taco Hand Pies, you’ll definitely want to try a few more festive bites that are just as crowd-pleasing:
- For another savory Halloween hit, these gooey and cheesy Skellington Cheese Ball Appetizer will make your party table unforgettable.
- Keep the ghostly theme going with a layered and spooky Ghostly Lasagna that’s as delicious as it is fun to serve.
- Sweet tooth calling? Whip up a batch of Baked Pumpkin Donuts for the perfect fall treat.
- And don’t forget to set out a big bowl of Scarecrow Crunch Snack Mix—a sweet and salty snack that kids and adults will keep grabbing by the handful.
Tried this recipe? I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a quick review and let me know how your Ghost Taco Hand Pies turned out. And if you’re looking for daily kitchen inspiration, make sure to follow me on Pinterest so you never miss a new chicken magic creation.

Ghost Taco Hand Pies
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 hand pies (depending on cutter size) 1x
Description
These Ghost Taco Hand Pies are flaky, cheesy, and packed with seasoned taco filling—perfect for Halloween parties, family dinners, or festive snacks. Quick to make and kid-approved!
Ingredients
-
1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)
-
1 Tablespoon taco seasoning
-
1/4 cup shredded carrot (optional)
-
1/4 cup chopped bell pepper or baby spinach (optional)
-
2 pie crusts, defrosted but unbaked
-
1/3 cup shredded Mexican cheese
-
1 egg (for brushing)
-
Salsa or guacamole, for dipping
Instructions
-
Heat a skillet over medium-high. Add beef (or turkey/chicken with olive oil) and cook until browned, about 5–6 minutes. Stir in taco seasoning and optional veggies. Remove from heat.
-
Preheat oven to 425°F. Line baking sheets with parchment.
-
Roll out pie crusts. Use a ghost-shaped cutter to cut even numbers of shapes. Gather scraps, reroll, and cut until all dough is used.
-
Place half the ghosts on the sheet. Add taco filling in the center, sprinkle cheese, then top with another ghost. Cut eyes/mouths on the top layer. Seal edges with a fork.
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Whisk egg with a splash of water or milk. Brush tops.
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Bake 10–14 minutes, until golden brown.
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Serve with salsa or guacamole for dipping. Enjoy!
Notes
-
Don’t overfill the pies, or the filling may leak.
Puff pastry can be used instead of pie crust for a flakier bite.
Filling can be made up to 2 days ahead.
Freezer-friendly: bake, cool, and freeze in a single layer; reheat at 350°F until warmed through.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack, Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hand pie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg